The Backyard Astronomer Podcast

E.69 - The Mother Of Hubble

Before Hubble ever launched, Nancy Grace Roman was already fighting to make a space telescope a reality. As NASA's first Chief of Astronomy and its first female executive

E.68-The River of Light

Summer monsoon clouds may keep Arizona astronomers indoors, but when the skies finally clear, one of the greatest sights in the night sky returns. This month's Backyard A

E.67 - The (Star)Light of Independence

On the 250th anniversary of American independence, it is worth looking up and considering how small our place is in the scale of time. The Big Dipper offers an easy path

E.66 - Storm Season on Earth and in Space

July brings monsoon storms on Earth... and storms in Space!  When you have to cover your telescope and protect it from the elements, its a great opportunity to learn abou

E.65 - BYA Special - Arizona's Orbital Tow Truck - Katalyst Space Attempts to Rescue NASA's Swift Observatory

On Tuesday, June 30, an Arizona-based company will attempt a mission that could change the future of spaceflight. Katalyst Space Technologies, headquartered in Flagstaff,

E.64 - Keeping An Eye On Jupiter

Jupiter takes center stage this June 🌌 From ancient Roman mythology to NASA’s Juno spacecraft, humanity has been keeping an eye on the king of planets for centuries. This

E.63-A Fire in the Asteroid Belt

Long before spacecraft visited the asteroid belt, astronomers searched the skies for the remnants of a lost planet. In May’s Backyard Astronomer, we explore the discovery

E.62-Earthshine: The Da Vinci Glow

More than 500 years ago, Leonardo da Vinci posited that the Earth could illuminate the Moon.  Learn more about the Da Vinci Glow in this month's Backyard Astronomer.  

E.61-Element One: From Rocket Leaks to Starlight

Hydrogen is the smallest atom in existence, yet it shapes the entire universe. It fuels the Sun, forms the glowing clouds where new stars are born, and even powers the ro

E.60 - Back to the Moon

Humans are going back to the Moon. 🌕🚀 After more than 50 years, a new crew prepares to orbit our lunar neighbor, marking the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth

E.59 - A Winter Sky Worth Watching

January opens the year with fire in the sky. Before dawn on the 3rd, the Quadrantid meteor shower delivers one of the strongest displays of the year — streaking through c

E.58 - Occupy Space

Imagine a football-field-sized spacecraft racing overhead at 17,500 miles per hour… one you can see with your naked eye. This month on The Backyard Astronomer, we’re cele

E.57-Lunar Peculiarities

Picture this — 4.5 billion years ago, Earth wasn’t alone. A Mars-sized neighbor named Theia was sharing the same orbit, until fate — or physics — brought them together in

E.56-Lions and Comets and Bears, OH MY!

Lions and Comets and Bears... no we aren't in Kansas, nor Oz.  We are right here in Northern Arizona, and checking out what may be the best comet in decades!  Learn how c

E.55-In The Shadow of Titan

The transit method allows astronomers to study distant worlds and discover exoplanets as their orbit traverses the disc of their stars.  We can make our own discovery thi

E.54-Early Risers

The moon is our guide this month as we follow her path along the sky and she points out celestial wonders in the early mornings of August.     #Astronomy #STEM #STEMEdu

E.53-Delta Aquariids Meteor Shower

The Delta Aquariids is a favorite amond metoer shower viewers, for the warmer summer months, and this year a new moon for ultra dark skies.  Learn where you can find this

E.52-Solstice Mesa

Stonehenge, Chichen Itza, Angkor Wat... These Monolithic sites were built  to celebrate the Solar calendar, but even right here in Northern Arizona ancient cultures were

E.51 - An "Edgy" Perspective

Let's get Edgy!  This month we are talking about orbital collisions andsideways planets, and how they change the way we view the Solar System.   Follow us at facebook.c

E.50-Planetary Alignments

Once in 396 billion years!  Or click-bait?  Let's talk planetary alignments - SYZYGY!   Follow us at facebook.com/BackyardAstronomerAZ Check out the NAZ Astro mission